Posts

Showing posts from June, 2010

Shining the Book Promotion Spotlight on Stephen V. Masse

Stephen V. Masse was born in Boston, Massachusetts. He wrote his first novelat age 13, handwritten into a school composition book. Educated at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, he studied creative writing, and was author of a weekly newspaper column, “Out of Control.” His first novel for children, Shadow Stealer, was published by Dillon Press in 1988. Short Circus is his second novel for children. In addition to children’s books, Masse has written A Jolly Good Fellow, winner of the Silver Medal in the 2008 Independent Publisher Book Awards, as well as honorable mention in the 2008 New England Book Festival for best books of the holiday season. Stephen’s latest Book is Short Circus. Welcome to Book Marketing Buzz, Stephen. Can we begin by having you tell us a little about your book? Short Circus is twelve-year-old Jem Lockwood’s own story about his remarkable adventures with his Big Brother Jesse Standish, and a host of neighbors and friends. When Jem discovers that

Book Marketing Mondays: The Craft of Marketing | The Official BookBuzzr Blog

" I sat in the audience at the James River Writers’ Conference last year where a panel of three well-known authors spoke on book marketing. They offered what I consider the secret to marketing your book. After the authors held their discussion, they opened the floor for Q & A. An aspiring author asked a question which I’ll paraphrase. She asked, how much time did the authors spend on marketing their books and how much on their physical writing. The authors covered their microphones and whispered among themselves. They then nodded in unison. One of them leaned into his microphone and said, “seventy-five percent on marketing and twenty-five percent on writing.” The other two nodded their agreement. A sudden hush fell over the audience. However, a hubbub soon rumbled around the room. I think everyone in attendance had the same question I did. “Really?” The authors then went on to explain their collective comment, but each one agreed on the formula offered. " . Read Ful

Julius Falconer's superb, detective novel - 'Jagger'

Image
Julius Falconer releases a superb, detective novel with a deft and thought-provoking plot. "Intelligent stimulation vies with sheer entertainment for pride of place." The Plot: Lionel Jagger, head of English at Mincliffe College in rural Worcestershire, is found dead in bed one morning, with his throat cut. Twenty-eight years old, erudite, talented, popular: an unlikely victim of murder. Inspector Wickfield and his assistant Sergeant Spooner trawl through his life, leaving no stone unturned. They interview widely, they travel extensively. The only result is bafflement, since all they meet have either no motive for murder or an unassailable alibi. In his despair at bringing the affair to a successful conclusion, the Chief Inspector hands the case to another detective team. Wickfield, however, despite this set-back, uncovers, with a flash of inspiration as clever as it is fortuitous, a devious and subtle plot that has deceived his colleagues! ...Find out more… Jagger

David Jay's detective thriller - 'Inspector Doyle Daly: The Rise and Fall of the Phoenix'

Image
David Jay releases a detective thriller with an intriguing plot that is sure to keep you entertained and rapt till the very end. The Plot: ‘The Rise and Fall of the Phoenix’ follows the hunt for a serial killer who taunts the police by leaving clues which inform of his next victim. Doyle takes the case after several murders and a wrongful conviction which sees the killer still on the loose and with all the same trademarks. This is a fast paced thriller which takes the reader into the world of everyday policing and camaraderie between like minded officers. …Find out more… Inspector Doyle Daly - Rise and Fall of the Phoenix This is the first in a series of books featuring Inspector Doyle Daly. Follow the SIU team through the series of books. ...a unique and imaginative plot... publishedbestsellers.com . .

Julius Falconer's gripping detective novel - 'Tempt Not the Stars'

Image
Julius Falconer releases a gripping detective novel. "Written in the classic tradition of British detective fiction, the adept Julius Falconer, informs, entertains and intrigues his readers in equal measure." The Plot: The Hon. Mr and Mrs Bede Lambton, of Abberton Hall in Worcestershire, persuade their nephew Gregory to enter a competition run by the Syrian Ministry of Tourism. Gregory, a student in the archaeology department of Bristol University, produces a paper called ‘The Syrian Sapphire’, but it is a housemate of his, Sheena Morrison, who submits it in her own name and under a changed title, ‘The Star of Syria’. The day after being told that her entry has won, Sheena is murdered. There appears to be nothing in Sheena’s life or in the competition entry to justify such savage action. Inspector Wickfield and Sergeant Hewitt find themselves baffled by a seemingly motiveless murder. Had the killer mistaken his victim? Was the murder a burglary that had gone wrong?!

Another good independent review from Goodreads - In all Probability

In All Probability by Steve Morris (Goodreads Author) Nicole's review , June 23, 2010 rating: 5 Star In All Probability is a collection of 30 short stories, all with unusual endings. In fact, you could probably say the endings would not happen "in all probability". As I read one short story after another, I was reminded of the Twilight Zone... many of these stories would find a happy home on that show. They were all strange and quirky and I couldn't wait to get to the end to find out what unusual thing would happen next. Overall, the stories were very entertaining (true, there were some I was less interested in than others, but that's bound to happen). I would recommend this to anyone looking for an interesting, light read.

Mandy the bookworm's Review - In All Probability

Steve Morris has done a wonderful job of putting together 30 short stories, roughly three to five pages in length, in his collection, In All Probability. The stories are about ordinary people, real people, you and me, and the choices they make which can have life-changing consequences. The endings aren’t what you would call unhappy, rather they are what most probably would happen, and of course life isn’t all happy endings so let’s say the endings are ‘real’. Read Full Review About the Book . .

Book Promotion Tips for Skittish Sellers - The Savvy Book Marketer

In today's guest post, mystery writer Elizabeth Craig shares book promotion tips for authors who are shy about selling. My children are both in Scouts. It’s been a great experience for them—they get to try new things and build self-confidence and self-reliance. The only thing I dislike about it? The selling Read Full article at: Book Promotion Tips for Skittish Sellers - The Savvy Book Marketer . .

A Ticket to Tewkesbury - A candid review by Nathan Weaver

I've been following James for a few years now, as he started out online sharing short stories. This was his first published novel, and I got my dirty paws on it and thoroughly enjoyed it from start to finish. And even after reading it, I still grab it and read some here and there. It's a quick paced book, and treats its characters with respect. It unravels with lots of twists and turns, and I found some of its humor to be very reminiscent of Hitchcock in his younger days. And actually, the whole story had a Hitchcock feel to it. Something Hitch wouldn't have minded making a movie, no doubt. I strongly recommend it. It's an easy, intriguing, fun ride to "Tewkesbury" and back again. And now I hear the sequel is in the works, which is good... because this book doesn't tie up all the loose ends--putting it lightly. About the book ..

Your Book Marketing Plan – How Much Should You Budget to Promote Your Book?

To promote your book successfully, it’s important to budget funds for book marketing. While it’s certainly possible to do online book promotion on a shoestring budget, you will still need to invest in promoting your book. The amount you should budget depends on your book marketing plan. Here are some expense categories to consider and some money-saving tips: Blog/Website: Website design and hosting fees. If you use a blog-based website, you’ll minimize costs for online book promotion. Graphics: Design of website header and graphics, design of printed materials, purchase of stock images for blog/website, and a photo shoot for your author photo. Services such as Killer Covers and eCoverBee can provide lower cost website graphics. Printing: Business cards, bookmarks, postcards, flyers, and posters for personal appearances. In addition to local printers, check prices for online printers such as Printing for Less. Copywriting and Editing: You may want to hire a professional co

Online Promotion Tip: 7 Must Haves for Author Online Press Kit

Posted by Teresa, Friday Jun 11, 2010 Some may say gone are the days of the traditional press kit where you have a two pocket folder with your press release on one side and the sheet of endorsements or reviews on the other. Even though these may still be relevant, there is something that is more vital than ever for authors to have and that is an online media (or press) kit. Like the traditional press kit, you will want to include a recent press release and a list of reviews in your online press kit, however, a few more things will help round out the online press kit such as: 1) Book Cover Image – In a jpeg file format and in a few different sizes to help facilitate placement on websites and print. Read Full article:   Online Promotion Tip: 7 Must Haves for Author Online Press Kit . .

In All Probability: A Collection of Short Stories - Most recent Amazon reviews

8 Jun 2010 By Ms. J. Lee "Buggsy2008" Amazon Live Link In All Probability by Steve Morris is one of the best collections of short stories I have read in a while. Normally I stick to novels, but after reading this I am looking forward to reading his next book. The book contains thirty short stories, each one more bizarre than the last. They start of seemingly normal, then gradually get more and more strange (in a good way!). I found myself trying to work out how each story would end, and sometimes I was right, others I was completely off the mark. Each story took around five minutes to read, which makes the book perfect if you are on a journey, or if you have a busy schedule and don't have the time to read for hours on end. The ability to write a successful short story is an aquired skill. You need to fit an entire story into only a few words. It's not as easy as it seems, being a writer myself I know how difficult it can be at times to fit it all into so few

Book Marketing Mondays: Don’t Go At It Alone | The Official BookBuzzr Blog

Most authors achieve a lifelong goal when they write and publish a book. But it’s not long before the stark light of reality hits when they realize that they now have to put on the hat of marketer. For many, they have no desire to engage in book marketing, or sales activities, and yet the success of finding new readers for their book will depend on it. One principle I learned early on is that you can achieve a lot more success with people behind you than you can achieve if you try to go at this alone. And not just in getting people to read your book and asking them to tell others about it. I’m talking about ways to get your name in front of many people. By default, then, your book will ride on the coattails of your exposure. So, how can you accomplish this? Consider these ideas: Read full article at: Book Marketing Mondays: Don’t Go At It Alone The Official BookBuzzr Blog . .